How to Get Rid of Dust (Instead of Moving It Around)

January 27, 2015

Does dust settle on surfaces just minutes after you have cleaned them? We have some tips for getting rid of dust – not just moving it around.

Dust is a word that describes some yucky stuff that is floating around. Sloughed-off skin cells, animal dander and hair, dust mites and their feces, decomposing bug parts, and that’s not counting the fabric fibers and tiny particles of soil, wood, sheet rock and paint.

While you can’t avoid ever having to “dust” the dust, you can reduce the amount that collects.

Feather Duster or microfiber cloth

Instead of using an old t-shirt or feather duster, get a microfiber or electrostatic cloth to capture dust, not just move it around. The best thing is when you’re done dusting, you can just throw it in the wash and use it again!

Wet or dry mop

A damp mop will clean better than a dry one, but water is hard on some surfaces, such as wood. Microfiber mops come in both dry and wet varieties, and while it might sound like overkill, if you dry mop your floors every day, you will nip dust in the bud stage.

Which to do first: vacuuming or dusting?

Most people prefer vacuuming first because vacuum cleaners have a tendency to blow around small dust particles, which you can get rid of by dusting post-vacuuming. While others point out that gravity is on their side and the lightweight dust will eventually end up on the floor where you can vacuum it up after you dust.

Stop it before it starts

Change the air filters in your furnace once a month, or even more often if necessary. Pleated air filters catch more dust particles, and some are electrostatically charged to attract pollen and other allergens. The amount of dust in your home depends on the number of people and pets who live in the house. Human skin and textile fibers are the major offenders, and there’s only so much you can do about either of those. If you still have a dust problem after regular and efficient cleaning, check your ductwork and caulking to make sure you’re not importing dust from the garage or outdoors.